Ch.268268. Omission (3)

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“…So that’s why you turned the entire count’s territory into a wasteland.”

“Hmm.”

Elnore responded as if asking what the problem was.

As if she could do far worse if my safety was threatened.

“…”

Of course, her heart is in the right place. I’m incredibly grateful.

But still.

“…Wasn’t that a bit excessive?”

While it might be modest compared to a massive domain like the Tristan Dukedom, Count Rebel’s territory was undoubtedly one of the more solid domains.

You could call it a well-established mid-sized territory with everything it needed.

And now, all that surrounds us are ruins with no trace of what once existed.

It’s miraculous that there were no casualties.

[…Isn’t that the real miracle?]

‘What?’

[Think about it. Casualties might be rare, but having absolutely none means these ladies clearly had the situation under control. They’re all becoming increasingly skilled at ‘controlling’ their powers.]

I pause at those words.

It wasn’t difficult to grasp the meaning between the lines.

[Just as your ‘demonization’ is accelerating, the speed at which they’re ‘merging’ with their fragments is getting faster too, isn’t it?]

“…”

That’s right.

I already knew that when I opened my seal, the interaction between the Demonic Vessels and the demons dwelling within them became more active.

Now they’re skilled enough to cause disaster-level incidents without major accidents or even significant bloodshed.

And that means…

The main scenario’s progression has started to completely deviate from the “knowledge” I possessed.

This situation—where the Demonic Vessels “skillfully” handle demonic powers while cooperating with me—was something I couldn’t find even a hint of in any game knowledge.

I might have some grasp on Chapter 5, but the upcoming boss battle, and the following Chapters 6, 7, and the final chapter…

They’ll all stem from complete unknowns.

For the first time, I’ll be facing things I’m completely unprepared for.

“…”

As I silently shuddered at this realization, Elnore smiled wryly and spoke.

“…Truth be told, even we didn’t do this thoughtlessly.”

“What?”

“We wanted to make an example quite clearly… but it seems there are far too many people in this world who lack the ability to learn.”

With those words, Elnore tossed something my way, which I caught.

It’s a capsule. Inside are various news articles in print form.

They all cover one common topic:

The military forces of the Council of Elders mobilizing near the now-devastated Count Rebel’s territory.

[It’s been quite noisy. Hasn’t it?]

‘They would move. It’s only logical.’

I inwardly smile bitterly in agreement with Calivan’s words.

They must have requested reinforcements, and besides Bogart and Nicholas, we’re dealing with the third-highest ranking person in the Council of Elders. There’s no way they wouldn’t intervene when a territory is being devastated.

Elnore probably meant that with such a devastating initial blow, they should have at least thought before acting, but unfortunately, if they were that type, they would have given some consideration after hearing what I did at the academy showcase.

“I should report this to His Majesty and… as much as I dislike it, to Chancellor Sullivan. This was bound to happen eventually, but I feel the timing has been greatly accelerated.”

Logically, Elnore is right.

This isn’t just about Count Rebel’s soldiers—it’s about the “essence” of the military power the Council of Elders has been quietly preparing to plunge the entire Empire into chaos.

Even with all the Demonic Vessels gathered, no one knows what kind of variables might emerge. I’ve already experienced countless cases where the scenario deviated from my expectations.

But.

Still.

< System Log >

[ Entering the Chapter 5 ‘Skip’ branch. ]

[ If you choose the correct option, you will skip the main quest “Imperial Great Conflict” and proceed directly to the boss battle! ]

If I search my memories, I clearly recall something like this. Probably.

It stated that choosing the “correct option” would skip an entire chapter.

“…Darwood?”

Despite Elnore’s words, I don’t answer immediately and fall into thought.

Skip.

A skip…

“…No.”

Elnore grinned at my answer.

It’s a rare display of clear emotion from this person.

As if she already knew what words would come out of my mouth.

“If we act first and report later, neither His Majesty nor the Chancellor will complain as long as the results are good. This is a good opportunity.”

“Opportunity?”

“An opportunity to stop the civil war before it even begins.”

As I say this, I stroke my chest.

I originally planned to use this on the people of Count Rebel’s territory, but I think I’ll adapt it a bit.

What I showed people at the showcase was just a… “demo version” of what I intend to do.

Well, it’s nothing special.

When a stage is set, it’s only natural to perform on it.

“That’s my husband.”

“…”

I give an awkward smile to Elnore, who crosses her arms and speaks with satisfaction.

Setting aside such chilling words for now.

I have a feeling that Gideon will bombard me with related topics once this chapter ends, which is quite frightening.

“But to do this, I’ll need some people to cooperate…”

As soon as I say that,

All the women nearby avoid my gaze.

“…?”

What’s with this reaction?

Have I been treated like this around here?

“No, it’s just that whenever you make such requests, someone usually ends up in a bad situation…”

“…”

“You should have done crazy things only once or twice normally…”

That may be true.

But I genuinely need help.

“Serath and Victoria. Over here.”

“…”

“…”

Serath and Victoria, looking like college freshmen who’ve just been named for a group project they absolutely don’t want to participate in, trudge forward simultaneously.

“Um, at least tell us what we’re going to do…”

“Nothing much.”

I answer with a bright smile to Serath, who speaks hesitantly.

“Reconciliation. That’s what we need.”

“…”

“What we’re about to do will definitely help your sisterly relationship.”

Expressions resembling terror began to bloom simultaneously on Victoria and Serath’s faces.

They probably had a terribly ominous feeling.

And, I’m sorry to say,

This time it’s actually going to be somewhat true.

●

Hanson was just an uninformed soldier belonging to the Council of Elders.

If someone asked him to introduce himself, he probably couldn’t find a better sentence than that.

An ordinary farmer, someone’s father, someone’s husband, and a nobody.

The word “ordinary” seemed like it was created specifically for him.

And such ordinary people often face surprisingly absurd situations.

“Move faster, you useless lot! If the Viscount’s quarters are even slightly inadequate, everyone responsible will be punished according to military law!”

What military law specifies punishment for failing to properly prepare a superior’s bedroom?

The tone and instructions clearly show how they treat the conscripted soldiers.

“…Sigh.”

Those people dislike even sleeping in the same place as us, yet they demand so much.

They spout fine words about righteous glory for the Empire’s future, the false emperor, and a future that cares for all citizens.

But the fact that Hanson and other soldiers being ground down don’t even cross their minds makes such sentences feel like empty hollowness.

“Isn’t that just how war is?”

A senior soldier grumbled as he pulled out his sleeping bag.

“For people like us, it doesn’t matter who wins. We’re lucky if we can return home safely to our families.”

“That’s right.”

Hanson sighed deeply in agreement.

“…Though there are many people who need to return, Sergeant.”

Hanson looked around the plain where the army was camping.

Seeing the soldiers packed so densely that they filled beyond the horizon, he felt sympathy for any hypothetical enemy who would have to fight against this.

“Nothing major will happen. The Emperor and the Chancellor have no power to command soldiers. All we need to do is go to the defenseless palace, change the flag, and come back.”

The sergeant continued with a snicker.

Indeed, despite marching all the way here to help some count in the neighboring territory who was in trouble, they hadn’t encountered anything remotely dangerous.

“When this is over, I should take my daughter back home on vacation to somewhere with good water.”

“…”

Please don’t say things like that.

It’s the kind of sentence that seems to magically turn even things that are going well into catastrophes.

But before he could object,

Something really did start to happen.

“…Huh?”

The hands of people focused on their work around him suddenly stopped.

A massive “pillar of light” was descending from the front.

It looked like mythical light descending from the heavens. It was so beautiful that everyone stared in a daze.

Probably everyone in this vast plain had their attention focused in that direction. It was that intense of a scene.

And walking out from within it was…

“…A man?”

A young man who could barely be old enough to be Hanson’s son.

Well. His face seems strangely familiar.

While Hanson was tilting his head at this odd impression, the senior soldier beside him clearly felt something similar.

The next sentence that flowed out proved it.

“…Isn’t that the face we often see in the newspapers?”

“What?”

“You know, that troublemaker who causes all sorts of incidents at that school for privileged people—”

“…”

Why would such a person walk out from a holy-looking pillar of light?

Anyone seeing this might mistake him for a messenger of God.

Hanson’s attempted rebuttal stemmed from that thought.

“…No matter what, the media tends to exaggerate—”

But that sentence was abruptly cut off.

Probably because he discovered the man emerging with a woman on each arm.

A flower in each hand, as they say.

With a remarkably calm face, he’s leading two women who look like they’re dying of embarrassment, holding each of their hands.

On one side is a petite woman. On the other is someone who looks like the first one but a few years more mature, with various curves added to her body.

“…I’ll kill this man someday. I swear…”

“…Please… kill me…”

The two were expressing contrasting sentiments.

The common point being that they both looked like they were about to face an experience they absolutely didn’t want to have because of this man.

“…”

“…”

Somehow, the term “troublemaker” seems accurate.

“Alright.”

And, fittingly,

The next words that flowed from the man’s mouth were:

“Now let’s merge, the three of us.”

“…”

Undoubtedly,

It was a sentence that made listeners doubt their ears.

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